The optimal internal radiation dose: all the benefits without the damage
“When I started working on my PhD as a technical physician at the NKI, I wanted to work with patients as well. I now administer radioactive drugs to patients myself, and am involved in various aspects of their treatment. People with rare neuroendocrine tumors are treated with four doses of radioactive lutetium, bound to proteins that perfectly fit the tumor cell receptors. The lutetium will be absorbed by the tumor, where it will deliver radiation from the inside. We want to further personalize this treatment by calculating the exact dose necessary for each patient. Delivering too much radiation causes unnecessary damage to the healthy cells. But delivering too little will decrease the effects of the therapy. After my thesis defense I will stay at the NKI where I will treat patients and continue my work on dose calculations.” Daphne will defend her thesis on January 22.
